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Indie book reviews

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IndieReader’s reviewers are tough, but fair

Our Reviewers won’t judge your book as compared to other self-published titles, but against other books, period. Our ratings are based on the following criteria, although reviewers are able to award partial stars (i.e. a 1.3 or a 4.7), rather than rounding up or down to a whole or half number.

1/5

Really bad 
Work on it.

2/5

Mediocre
1-2 bright spots.

3/5

Good
Worth reading.

4/5

Very Good
1-2 spots that need work

5/5

Excellent!
Must-read.

* IndieReader receives compensation for most of the books it reviews, along with copies of those books.

IR Approved
May 10, 2024

EAST HAMPTON BLUE

By Shelby Raebeck
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Shelby Raebeck's EAST HAMPTON BLUE is a compelling story of a stressed East coast tourist town that beautifully depicts the struggles of a man and...

IR Approved
May 6, 2024

ANEMONE

By Jim Frazee
Rating:
5.0 / 5.0

Somber, romantic, and emotionally raw, ANEMONE is a masterful debut that intertwines the intimate dramas of Jim Frazee's characters with the larger elemental forces of...

April 26, 2024

ANIMAL: Notes from a Labyrinth

By Alan Fishbone
Rating:
3.4 / 5.0

Boldly experimental in form, yet with enough narrative drive to hold the reader’s attention, ANIMAL: Notes from a Labyrinth is a refreshingly challenging read. Author...

IR Approved
April 15, 2024

THE BARGAIN SHOPPER

By WC Latour
Rating:
4.4 / 5.0

An endlessly entertaining life story of its intellectual, misanthropic main character, W.C. Latour's THE BARGAIN SHOPPER is a literary novel whose political and social commentary...

April 10, 2024

THE WREN’S SONG

By David Hudson
Rating:
3.0 / 5.0

David Hudson's THE WREN’S SONG's beautiful portraits of the varied life forms in—and atop—old-growth forests render it worth the read.

IR Approved
March 27, 2024

THE HERMIT

By Katerina Grishakova
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

In THE HERMIT, Katerina Grishakova crafts a compelling character study of one man's midlife journey to rediscover purpose and meaning beyond his outwardly successful but...

March 25, 2024

DEER IN THE FIELDS OF VENICE

By D.M. Zultowski
Rating:
3.0 / 5.0

DEER IN THE FIELDS OF VENICE, D.M. Zultowski's story of father Maurice Lamoreaux’s unexpected trip to Italy and the effect it has on him, is...

IR Approved
March 13, 2024

QUIET DESPERATION

By Rodney Nelsestuen
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

QUIET DESPERATION is a well-written literary novella. Author Rodney Nelsestuen has created a memorable central character who, for all of his many flaws, will eventually...

IR Approved
March 11, 2024

TOO MANY STONES

By Rodney Nelsestuen
Rating:
5.0 / 5.0

Rodney Nelsestuen's TOO MANY STONES is an emotionally powerful novel about how the collision of sexual ignorance and teen rape shapes life opportunities and family...

IR Approved
March 11, 2024

THE MAY QUEEN

By Michelle Tocher
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Equal parts fairy tale and grief narrative, Michelle Tocher's THE MAY QUEEN blends familiar stories with one family's larger-than-life drama. A heavy but worthwhile read.

IR Approved
March 8, 2024

SUN EYE MOON EYE

By Vincent Czyz
Rating:
4.7 / 5.0

Author Vincent Czyz’s SUN EYE MOON EYE proves an engaging discourse on isolation and identity with gorgeous, imagery-saturated prose. 

IR Approved
March 4, 2024

REFUGE

By Bill VanPatten
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Bill VanPatten’s REFUGE is a rewarding, affecting, disturbing, and memorable work with significant social commentary.

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